Sharon McSwiney

2010-02-03T12:25:00.002Z

Meet Taboo our new friend!

We collected her from the Cats Protection on Monday afternoon. It's so lovely having feline company at home again - even at 4am when she decides she wants a cuddle!

We might change the name Taboo yet we're waiting to see what becomes appropriate?

We are hoping to adopt a second puss but she is not very well at the moment so it might not be for a while. Keeping fingers crossed x

New Etching Artwork Designs

2010-01-30T12:00:00.005Z

I've just completed the artwork for some new etching. These will be photo-etched in brass & copper then used for my greetings cards. I thought it was about time I introduced some new designs to the range although the old favourites do still seem to be popular. I'm really looking forward to getting the first batch of metal versions delivered in the next few weeks.....

SALE ENDS SATURDAY

2010-01-28T10:35:00.006Z

*******SALE*******

I have decided to continue my little 'sale' at the studio until this weekend. Although it feels like it's been going on too long....because of the awful start to the year with the ice & snow I thought I'd carry on for a few more days. I'm itching to have a move around and put out my Valentine display next week.

There are still some bargains to be had... £5 items of jewellery....cards @ £1....pictures @ £10 & £25...

*********************

Rowan leaf commission

2010-01-28T10:28:00.004Z

I've just completed this metalwork plaque commission this morning. This piece is to celebrate the imminent birth of baby 'Rowan' for some very good customers.

I saw-pierced the leaf in brass & then textured the surface with a punch to impress 'veins'. This was then soldered onto a copper background & took several attempts to get the right colour as it was quite a large piece of metal.

I hope they will be pleased with the results.....

Torquil Ceramic workshop part 2

2010-01-28T10:12:00.004Z

Last Saturday was the second part of the Torquil pottery workshop in Henley in Arden. This time we were decorating our creations with oxides & glazes before leaving them in the capable hands of Carey Moon & Jayne Lucas for firing. I can't wait to see the finished articles! I just hope they survive in the kiln OK?

It's been a lovely experience to work with the paper clay & meet some really interesting people. I also took the opportunity to purchase some more pieces from Jayne for the gallery. These will be on display very shortly.

Printing with Sue Brown

2010-01-26T10:11:00.003Z

On Friday last week I went over to see my friend Sue Brown in her lovely garden studio in Cheltenham. Although I did not do any printing on this occasion, I've made a set of 4 'plates' to use next time. These were created using a combination of tile cement, wallpaper & pva glue! It was great just to see Sue as she is always so inspired which I hope rubs off a little on me.... I'm going back in March to have a go at printing them.

New jewellery patterns

2010-01-21T20:27:00.005Z

Today I've been working on my new jewellery 'masters' in the bunny studio. Duke the rabbit was very happy as I had the heater in there so he probably thought it was spring!

This is the first stage of production so they are not finished yet - cleaning & filing to be done, then moulds made...

Watch this space to see more details in the next few weeks.

Sorry that the studio has been closed this week so far...

Tim will be opening tomorrow (friday) & Saturday then back to normal next week.

Source book inspiration

2010-01-19T21:33:00.008Z

I'm trying to keep myself busy.........

So this evening I've finished off one of my 'source books'. I've produced these sort of scrap books since college so I have quite a library of them now! Unfortunately there never seems to be enough time to devote to doing them these days and the pile of cards, photos, magazine cut outs just seems to grow & grow......

This year I'm going to make a real effort to sort out some of the paper!

It's really amazing when you look back at things from years previously & then find inspiration from different elements.

What I really need is a whole room to devote to this project so I could spread all the stuff over a wide area & select the images which go together.....yes in an ideal world.....

These are just a few of my favourite pages from the most recent book:

GRUMBLE sadly missed

2010-01-19T11:21:00.004Z

Yesterday was very hard as we said goodbye to Grumble our dear friend for 20 years.

She was a very strong character which many friends & family will know & have scars to prove it!! Grumble sadly passed away yesterday evening at home with us - I think she had just had enough. The house seems very empty without her & it's going to take some time to get used to not seeing her around....

She had a long & happy life and I'm glad that we were able to share it with her for so many years.

Torquil Pottery Workshop

2010-01-18T09:23:00.002Z

I had a great day on Saturday taking part in a ceramics workshop at Torquil Pottery in Henley in Arden. I had booked the course as a Christmas present to myself. I thought working with clay would make a nice change from hard metal surfaces! I was most interested in the work of Jayne Lucas (who I stock in the studio). She uses something called paper clay which is basically a paper pulp mixed with a powder clay, then mixed with water. The paper obviously burns off during firing. The mixture gives great flexibility to the material.

The first piece I made was a 2D bird plaque inspired by Lisa Larson. I used some of my etched metal pieces to create patterns in the paper clay surface.

Then I surprised myself by doing some 3D vessels! With these pieces I have embossed the patterns into the paper clay surface before rolling the piece up to form a cylinder. I then 'squashed' it to make more of an oval shape & attached a base.

So these are being left to dry for a week & then next Saturday we will decorate the pieces with glazes! I'm really looking forward to seeing the finished results....

METALWORK COURSE

2010-01-14T15:47:00.003Z

The past few day's I've been in discussion regarding running a metalwork course in the Cotswolds later in the year. This has now been finalised & you can now go ahead a book a place. I have specified that the number of participants be redistricted to 10 so places are limited! Take a look at the website for more information......

www.cotswold-artstudio.com

http://www.cotswold-artstudio.com/sharonmcswiney.asp

Date for your diary.....

October 23rd & 24th

10am - 4.30pm

Condicote Village Hall nr Stow on the Wold

New jewellery designs

2010-01-14T10:42:00.003Z

So yesterday I was at home again...managed not to get distracted by Ebay & did designs for some new pieces of jewellery. I'd had some rough sketches done for a while but have now finalised the designs a bit more. I find the pieces develop as you start to make them up in metal so I'm never completely sure of the final design.

I think these creatures will fit into my current ranges quite well. Frogs always seem to be a popular motif & the squirrel is just a bit bonkers! I thought the swan would be good for Worcester as we have so many on the river here. These will all be brooches but I'll also make the smaller frog design as earrings. I plan to make the puffin which I did in the autumn last year as a larger version for a brooch as I've had a couple of requests.

Watch this space for further developments....I plan to start the metal versions today.

Badge Bonanza!

2010-01-13T11:28:00.003Z

Following on from the buttons.......

After some searching of the attic & garage mum finally located my badge collection from the 70s & early 80's. I'm not sure how I obtained all these sports badges as I'm not keen on anything too athletic now!!! Looks like some of them might have been through the washing machine????

I think these must have been my mum's??

Very retro!

Always a cat fan...

Sue Firmin Artwork

2010-01-13T11:19:00.002Z

Yesterday Sue Firmin delivered my fabulous painting which I'd purchased at her recent exhibition at Number 8 in Pershore 'Where Land Meets The Sea'. This exhibition has now finished but you can view Sue's work on her website http://www.suefirim.co.uk/

I'm really pleased with the piece & I'm hoping to add to the collection in the near future!

Indian Inspirations

2010-01-13T10:42:00.004Z

This time last year we were on our Indian Adventure! Hard to believe it was 12 months ago... I'm remembering the lovely warm weather as I look out onto the snowy scene here (again!!). Anyway I've had a little rummage through some of the goodies we bought back....

I love the colours & textures - not sure what I'll do with the 'jewels' yet but they are beautiful.

I'll certainly be watching Slumdog Millionaire this evening as part of C4 Indian Winter feature!

VALENTINE CARDS!

2010-01-12T14:29:00.003Z

Valentine cards are now in production!!

More Buttons.....

2010-01-12T10:48:00.007Z

Although I was rather sloth like on Sunday I did manage to finish stitching my green & blue buttons onto labels to complete another picture. In addition to the more subtle colours of the first collection completed last year, I wanted to do further selections of my favourite buttons! So I now have arrangements of pink/red/orange hues plus the green/blue/turquoise versions.

Some of the buttons I remember from particular coats & jackets belonging to my gran.

I think the rest of Gran's buttons will stay in the tins until I come up with another idea!! Although I have now started my own tin - it may take some years to have enough to create anything with them?

Donkey featured Worcestershire Living Magazine

2010-01-09T13:25:00.003Z

Managed to pick up a copy of the Dec/Jan issue of Worcestershire Living yesterday. I'd had a couple of orders for the donkey brooch before Christmas but had not actually seen the feature in the magazine.... I think he looks rather splendid especially next to my favourite handbags (which I was lucky enough to receive for Christmas too!!!) a big thank you to the magazine for the promotion.

Valentine Designs

2010-01-07T13:06:00.005Z

These are the Valentine designs I was working on yesterday......

I'll probably add some stamped lettering (like on the animal alphabet designs) to the final greetings cards. It's a beautiful bright sunny day but my feet are a 'little chilled' at the studio!! A fab huge snowman has appeared at The Fold - I must remember to bring my camera tomorrow...I don't think he'll melt overnight as they are talking about -14 degrees again!

Snowy scenes....

2010-01-06T12:54:00.003Z

Popped out with my camera this morning before starting on design work in the kitchen! These are a few of my Worcester in the snow pictures....

2010-01-05T17:11:00.004Z

Well it has!! It just had to wait until we try to return to work didn't it - typical eh?

Anyway made it into the studio this morning but then decided I did not want to get stuck there as it was coming down pretty heavy so gingerly made my way back through Worcester - a 15/20min journey took 1 1/2 hrs!!!

Still eventually got home & have been working on some designs for a large scale metalwork commission......

Let's see if any more of the white stuff appears this evening??? If so I may have to do my Valentine designs in the kitchen!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

2010-01-02T15:13:00.003Z

Happy New Year to you all!!

Sorry a day later than planned as a little 'tired & emotional' yesterday after New Year's Eve party!!!
Anyway here's hoping 2010 brings much fun, love & happiness....

Unfortunately these were not the fireworks seen in Worcester the other night! I went to an amazing firework festival at Eastnor Castle last August.....

SALE! SALE! SALE!

2009-12-30T14:05:00.004Z

We have been into the studio today to set things out for our SALE which starts on

10am Saturday 2nd January

A whole cabinet full of jewellery reduced by 50%!!!

A special £5 jewellery bargain box

Greetings cards reduced to £1 & £1.50

Selected Ceramics 1/2 price

Limited reduced panels & block pictures

Sil Urchin drops £36 now £18!

CO Fairy drops £26 now £13!

SIL fairy necklace £40 now £20!

Plus many more 1/2 price pieces.....

The studio will return to normal opening after Saturday 2nd

Tuesday - Saturday 10am until 5pm

We intend to close the studio for 1 week to refit & revamp the space towards the end of January...watch this space for more information

Frosty bbrrrrrrr!!!

2009-12-23T16:36:00.003Z

Ventured into the park yesterday morning as I'd spotted the frosty leaves gathered nearby.....

Last events this weekend!

2009-12-16T16:29:00.003Z

Not long to go now.................

On Saturday I'll be showing again in Chelthenham at the Arts & Crafts Market

on the Promenade 9am - 5pm

Sunday will be my last retail show for this year in Hereford High Town

once again from 10am - 4/5pm

The studio at The Fold will then be open the following times:

Saturday 19th 10am - 5pm

Sunday 20th 11am - 4pm

Monday 21st - Wed 23rd Dec 10am - 5pm

Christmas Eve 10am - 2pm

Closed until Sat 2nd January 2010